BA in Business Management

The aim of this unit is to introduce different models and practices of change management. The unit further aims to assist learners to develop an understanding of the issues and practices involved in the management of change and those activities that contribute to positive organisational change. Learners are encouraged to develop and use their problem solving skills.

The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand and apply principles of effective Human Resource Management (HRM). Being able to attract, recruit and retain talented staff is at the core of all HRM activity. This unit will explore the tools and techniques used in HRM to maximise the employee contribution and how to use HR methods to gain competitive advantage.

This unit is designed to introduce learners to the core principles of marketing. This would give them the opportunity to develop a basic marketing plan and employ elements of the marketing mix to achieve desired outcomes. The theories and frameworks forms the basis of this unit and directly related to the real word examples. These include products and services which are normally encountered in their normal working environment.

This unit will be assessed by the Domain Academy examination board set assignment. The theme will be provided by the DA board and the learners will choose their own project based on this theme. This theme will be valid for a year which will then be revised and changed by the DA board.

Learners will have the opportunity to explore and examine a current topic in the context of the business environment preferably in Malta or their country of origin. The unit offers the opportunity to the learners to engage in research in a specific field of study related to the theme provided.

On successful completion of this unit learners will have more confidence to engage in decision-making, problem-solving and research activities using project management skills.

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This unit provides the learner with an understanding and an explanation and purpose of an entrepreneur venture. It provides also what may be the enablers and obstructions to a small business setup.

This unit introduces learners to the nature, role and importance of financial information in organisations from a managerial perspective.

Learners will be introduced to the principles of accounting, in line with the standards expected based on conventions that guide the presentation of financial information.

The learner will be presented with the essential knowledge to be able to critically evaluate and interpret the financial systems, procedures and processes in various organisations.

The aim of this unit is to help learners understand the difference between the function of a manager and the role of a leader.

Special attention is given to the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support management and leadership.

This unit examines communication at an organisational level, interpersonal communications, and managing internal and external communications.

The success of an organisation or an enterprise depends mainly on effective communication to ensure understanding, involvement and commitment to organisational policies and procedures.

This unit aims to develop the learners’ awareness of organisational, personal, team and external communication.

This module introduces students to the context of organisation.  It uses inter-disciplinary theory and research to compare and contrast the contribution of the core social science disciplines to the study of organisation and management.  Students will be introduced to how these theories inspire ways in which organisations can be designed in order to achieve their objectives.  The evolution of management thought is central to a student’s understanding of this module.  They will learn and appreciate the contribution of Taylor, Fayol and Weber to the Classical approaches; and Follett’s and Mayo’s contribution to the Behavioural

approach.  Furthermore, students will learn modern management approaches that include a systems view of organisations, contingency thinking, and the role of knowledge management learning organisations.

The module provides an understanding of the many factors that shape the nature of organisations operating in an increasingly complex business environment. Participants explore this dynamic nature of business and familiarize themselves with organisational structures, functional areas and the impact of the external environment.

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This module provides an introduction to the key concepts relating to people’s behaviour within contemporary organisations. It confronts the challenges managers face in understanding how to effectively manage people as individuals, as a member of a work group or team, and as a member of the organisation.  This takes place within the context of varying structures and cultures which are commonly linked with successful organisational performance. Students are provided with an understanding of the complex processes of social interaction that organisations represent.   They will appreciate the criticality of motivation and understand in detail the needs, process, and self-efficacy theories of motivation.  The module focuses on practical issues and, via a critical consideration of different approaches presented in academic frameworks and research evidence, enables students to make judgments on the behaviour of people in organisations.

The module provides an expansive overview of the key issues and challenges facing organisations in managing their operations and supply chains with the aim of delivering goods and services. Students will be exposed to the fundamental principles, theories and practical activities that constitute this vital area of management. They will learn and appreciate the 16 principles of Operations Management as laid out by Schonberger.  A systems approach is applied to understand and address the challenges of aligning organisational processes to the needs of the business; implementing them effectively, and operating and improving them on an ongoing basis. The coverage is not limited to the operations function and has relevance for managing processes in any part of the organisation; whether the customers are internal or external. It also familiarises core concepts in the management of processes that cross organisational boundaries as part of a supply chain.

The module aims to give students an insight into consumer behaviour from cognitive, social and cultural theoretical perspectives.  It establishes the central role o f consumer behaviour and its relevance to marketing management. It examines in detail the process of consumer decision-making, the influences on buyer behaviour and their implications for marketing in purposeful contemporary organisations.  Students will explore both traditional (economic, learning, psychological and sociological) models; and contemporary models of consumer behaviour, such as the Howard Sheth Model, the Nicosia model, the Engle-KollatBlackwell model, and the Engle Blackwell and Miniard model.  They will develop a knowledgeable understanding of  consumption; both micro view of consumption – decision making and involvement, perceptual processes, attitudes theory, personality, self and motivation; and macro-view of consumption – culture, groups and social processes. The module examines the consumer both as an individual, and as a member of a group and culture.

This unit will be assessed by the Domain Academy examination board set assignment. The theme will be provided by the DA board and the learners will choose their own project based on this theme. This theme will be valid for a year which will then be revised and changed by the DA board.

Learners will have the opportunity to explore and examine a current topic in the context of the business environment preferably in Malta or their country of origin. The unit offers the opportunity to the learners to engage in research in a specific field of study related to the theme provided.

On successful completion of this unit learners will have more confidence to engage in decision-making, problem-solving and research activities using project management skills.

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The module provides an introduction to basic economic theory as it applies to business.  It presents an economic understanding of the world of individual choice, business behaviour, national level economic systems and government economic policy. It demonstrates how economic factors impinge on organisational success. Students will be introduced to micro- and macroeconomic theory and learn how businesses are affected by developments in specific markets as well as by changes at the level of the entire economy. They will understand that economic models have two functions; as a simplification of and abstraction from observed data , and as a means of selection of data based on a paradigm of econometric study.   They will develop analytical skills and apply analytical techniques to business and management problems and to problems of market economics.

This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals of information technology and covers the uses of information systems in business scenarios and business organizations. The module equips students with skills of database management and an in-depth understanding of the role of information systems in this ‘information age’. Organisations are now heavily reliant upon the effective management of information as a resource and are faced with an overabundance of new and emerging technologies. Students will understand that the application of information technology leads to fundamental changes in the structure and nature of organisations. The module provides key concepts, frameworks and strategic technologies that are in practice in contemporary organisations. Students will learn data modelling and data analysis, principles of  relational database design,  enterprise information systems and strategy, privacy and information security, ‘Big data’ and cloud computing, and technology acceptance and diffusion.

The module recognizes the role of integrated marketing communications as an integral process in the creation of effective marketing activities. Students will reflect on the changes occurring in the world of advertising, promotion, public relations, personal selling, digital, and direct marketing. It presents the marketing communications tools that can be employed in an integrated campaign that promotes both synergy, and a continuing dialogue with the consumer. Students will learn to analyse and reflect the changes that are occurring on the world of marketing communications in today’s business world.  They will recognize the process that is followed in a marketing campaign, from situation analysis to evaluation.

This module on accounting and finance places particular emphasis on the understanding of accounting information and financial management. It provides the accounting and financial background desirable for any intending business manager.  Furthermore, it gives an introduction to the analytical tools critical to understand the financial management of an organisation, and the interrelationship between the organisation’s accounting results, financing, and managerial decision-making. Students will learn about the tools necessary for analysing financial statements in order to recognize key trends for a business, and will be able to relate accounting to the broader strategic and operational aspects of a business. An underlying objective is that this module will facilitate conversations with the financial personnel of their organisations.

The module explores the role of leadership in leading successful and sustainable contemporary organisations. It presents leadership as a multi-facetted approach that reflects the ambiguous, complex and challenging situations that the organisation, its leaders and employees may face. The student is presented with a range of core organisational theories, models, frameworks, and concepts of leadership, as well as current research findings and a range of techniques, practices and skills that may be used in a professional environment. In particular, the following approaches to Leadership are studied: the trait approach, the skills approach, the situational approach, the contingency approaches (Fiedler’s Contingency Model, Hersey-Blanchard situational Leadership Model, the Path-Goal Leadership Theory).  Furthermore, students will become conversant with the types of leadership style; specifically Transformational Leadership, Transactional Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Paternalistic Leadership.  . Students will develop knowledge through the examination of a series of issues and challenges that are faced by leaders in various organisations.

The module provides students with an understanding and critical appreciation of the processes involved in the formation and subsequent management of a strategic direction. It is designed to facilitate an overall appreciation of the importance of strategy for businesses. This module focuses on both fundamental and contemporary issues in the strategic management of organisations from across different sectors. Students will consider different organizational contexts and examine how such organisations respond to various opportunities. They will be presented with key theoretical concepts, tools and frameworks useful for analysing the external and internal environment of the firm, and valuable in the formulation and execution of different types of strategies. Such organisational alignment is crucial to superior firm performance.

The module introduces the students to the importance of marketing in competitive and dynamic environments and considers, discusses, and evaluates the market orientation concepts and processes necessary for gaining sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. It emphasises the need for critical thinking during the strategic planning process in order to understand the essence of how marketing decisions fit together to create a coherent strategy.  Students will be presented with examples of successful planning and implementation to illustrate how firms face the marketing strategy challenges in contemporary organisations. The module will benefit students develop in different marketplaces an ability to identify key strategic issues, establish competitive positions, analyse strategic options, and assess the validity and relevance of their choice.

The module enables students to develop a sound theory grounded understanding of an entrepreneurial set-up through the exploitation of an innovative idea. It will present an understanding of the role of the entrepreneur in the new venture creation process.   They will become knowledgeable about the personality traits, characteristics, backgrounds, experiences and interests of successful entrepreneurs.  Students will develop the intellectual skills to understand, analyse, and critically evaluate theories, frameworks, and models relating to new venture creation and entrepreneurial management. They will learn how to recognize, assess, and articulate new venture opportunities; to gain insights into required resources for venture development and growth. They will apply these in a practical context through a work-out in a group by proposing a coherent and viable business concept, developing a pitch for this concept and writing a feasibility study of the idea. These activities will be supported by the tutor.

The module provides the student with an opportunity for a sustained period of independent study and research with an assigned individual supervisor. It allows a student to focus on management areas that are of particular interest, and it draws upon a range of different aspects of the taught programme particularly the Research Methods module. The student will identify a topic area of interest which they wish to develop further through their dissertation. This must be relevant to the programme. They will then write a short research proposal outlining the problem, research objectives and their proposed research strategy; including approaches, and, as relevant, arrangements for fieldwork, development of instruments and sample. They will be guided on how to effectively collect quantitative and/or qualitative data and will learn the importance of objectivity in all methods of research.  Students doing qualitative methods will be introduced to the principle of reflexivity .  Before starting on this journey the student will have  a fruitful discussion with a  supervisior about the proposed study.  In certain cases, students must obtain ethical approval prior to data collection.

The module provides a foundation in the theory, concepts, terminologies, and practice of international business. It deals with the complexity of international markets and the capacity to successfully manage issues related to international business and strategy. It covers core concepts of international business clarifying how these apply to the dynamics and constraints of international business strategy, and examines the uncertainties and potential for the international expansion of the firm. The module explores the impact of political, economic and financial risk on the success or failure of managerial decisions. It explores options regarding the selection and management of international joint ventures, alliances with foreign firms, cross border mergers, and acquisitions.  Students will learn to analyse these strategic choices, including implementation approaches, open to management faced with complex international business opportunities and threats.

The module provides a broad overview of project management principles including the fundamental activities, tools, and techniques used in managing projects.  Students will recognize sources of uncertainty and complexity, and learn about the project life cycle and its underpinning role in managing project progress.  The phases of initiation, planning, execution, control, and termination will be examined in detail. The module introduces different approaches to managing projects and project-based organisations, and confronts the management of project teams emphasizing the human aspect challenges because of the temporary and unique activities of the nature of a project. Students will learn to critically assess strategic aspects of project management and understand the application of project management software models including PRINCE2 methodology.

The module exposes students to a comprehensive introduction to the area of cross cultural management. Through a critical analysis of the various approaches in the studies of national cultures, the student is presented with frameworks and models, such as Hofestede’s dimensions of national culture, which are relevant to managers facing cultural challenges when working in international businesses. Students learn about the role of culture in business theory, the methodological approach to the measurement of culture at individual, corporate, industry, and national levels, the roles of global managers, and the critical cultural challenges faced by global organisations. Learning will be centred on cultural differences in a variety of business contexts.